The sky stretched out in a deep, boundless blue. Sunlight gently bathed the vast land below, casting every inch of it in a warm, golden glow.
From time to time, a few eagles soared overhead, their wings slicing through the air — this was Eastern Europe in its current state.
Its economic structure, compared to Western Europe, was relatively simple, primarily relying on agriculture and livestock. In simple terms, the East and West of Europe were clearly distinct in many ways during this era.
This region was home to the roaming Hunnic tribes, scattered yet dominant in their territories. To the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, the people here were seen as barbarians — uncommunicative and uncivilized.
Among these tribes, there was a leader named Rua. Once a Hunnic elder who discovered the remains of the giant god, he was also the one who had his people take in Avia.
According to the original timeline, the Huns would be unified under Rua in 432 AD. Two years later, he would die, and Attila — the indisputable god of war — would rise as the new ruler of the Hunnic Empire.
Rua wasn't particularly concerned about Avia's sudden return or his alliance with the Dead Apostles. After all, the agreement was just to let them drink a little blood, not commit random killings — no big deal... In any case, he did follow Avia's suggestion and provided Eltruce and her Royal Guard with a place to settle.
"Besides, it's land meant for Attila and you. If you want to make the decision, I see no issue. Attila's not the type to think these things through anyway — you've always been the one making decisions."
At the time, Rua spoke with a completely indifferent look on his face, as if to say, What's there to hesitate about?
His only real concern was:
If you're here, does Attila know? Leaving her alone in Western Rome… I've got a bad feeling something terrifying might happen.
Avia had intended to say she knew, but then he suddenly remembered—
Oh no… the illusion spell wore off after Wales.
Thinking back, it had been over a year since he left Milan. The search for Fafnir took four months. Then, in Glastonbury of Britain, he was dragged through that gate to the Reverse Side by the fae — and though it felt like only an instant, six months had passed in the real world.
After that, it was two months in Wales handling Mabel's request, then one month being escorted back to Eastern Rome by Eltruce, and now another two months to bring her to the Hunnic lands...
Avia could already imagine the white-haired girl in the Western Roman court — probably on the verge of a murderous rampage after everything she'd endured.
Still, what's done was done. He figured it wouldn't hurt to keep Attila waiting a few more months.
He'd always planned to deliver Eltruce first, then stop by Britain to see Mabel, before heading back to Milan.
Then, while only he and the Hunnic elders were present, Rua suddenly shouted:
"The three-headed dragon by the Dniester River is absolutely vile! It dared to harass us while our god of war, young Attila, was away in Western Rome — now our horses are skittish day and night. If only Attila were here!"
"Yes, if she were, she would've slain that evil dragon in an instant!"
"Alas, she won't be back anytime soon. But now that Avia — who once fought shoulder to shoulder with her — has returned, perhaps he could—"
"That's absolutely out of the question!" Rua cut him off, righteously. "Avia bears great responsibility! We mustn't let him know about this. Anyone who spills the beans — I'll have them go slay the dragon!"
Watching these aged Hunnic elders play out the same antics they used to use to tease Attila and himself as children, Avia couldn't help but think: If you want something from me, just ask. I'm not going to say no. Why beat around the bush? Especially when you've been doing it the same way for decades.
Still, he couldn't deny that it made him happy. There was no ill intent, after all.
So, naturally, he accepted.
That night, the silver-haired boy had a dream — something he hadn't experienced in a long while.
It was a beautiful village nestled in endless golden wheat fields, clearly a farming community.
"Ah-hah! Finally found you! Just in time, too."
Following the voice, Avia saw a small, human-like figure standing atop a rock—
It was a half-nightmare girl, Mabel Kiara. She beamed at Avia like she was greeting an old friend.
"Lucky for me that golden thing on you stands out — made it easy to track you down in this sea of dreams. Anyway, since the task you gave me is now complete, it's your turn. Say what you want me to do."
From her words, Avia realized she'd likely been searching for him ever since what happened in Wales. As for her saying she'd completed the task...
He wasn't surprised. She was half-nightmare, after all. Still, it didn't matter. What he really needed now was for her to find the Sword of the Stars hidden in Avalon on the Reverse Side.
Instead, he looked at her and said:
"...Mabel, please cry. From the heart. I've never seen a nightmare cry before, and I'm curious."
A strange request. Completely outside anything a half-nightmare might expect.
"Huh? Why don't you just wish to die and reincarnate as a human again?" Mabel yawned, still smiling casually. "But fine, since I agreed — I'll cry for you. It's such a simple request. Are you sure you won't change it? It's a waste, you know. I'm beloved by the Great Mother. I can take anything I want from the Reverse Side. And you just want me to cry—?"
"I won't change my mind. So please — cry for me."
"…Alright."
Call it self-inflicted, she thought, shrugging. Then Mabel prepared to cry, just as Avia had asked.
Time in the dream seemed to stop. Every second stretched into an unbearable eternity. Every heartbeat made one want to avert their eyes.
And then—
"Ahaha, you didn't really think I couldn't cry, did you? I was kidding. Crying's easy for me. I'll warn you one last time: this is your final chance to change your mind."
"This is my wish."
"Heh."
With that, the half-nightmare girl's cheeks flushed red as tears welled up in her eyes. Just one drop. Just one moment. Her expression remained composed.
And then her face went blank — like she was simply fulfilling a task.
"There. You wasted a truly priceless wish. I bet you'll regret this for the rest of your life. But too late now. You'll never reach Avalon. Your ideals are boring and meaningless. I have no reason to open the gate for someone like you."
Avia said nothing in response to her mocking words. Just listened, unbothered.
"Fine. Dream's over. You can leave now. What a dull person."
She smiled as she said it.
Perhaps annoyed her words weren't having the effect she wanted, Mabel shifted uncomfortably, her body stiffening slightly.
"...Maybe you're right. Pretty boring," Avia said, turning away. "But still — thank you."
That made her pause.
"Thank you for crying for your parents. And… I'm sorry. For what the Church did."
"...You really are a boring human. I'm goi—"
Her words cut off.
Even after her form vanished, the girl's expression didn't change. But her lips trembled.
Her father had been dissected alive by magecraft and fed to magical beasts. Her mother was burned alive. She was the only one left.
It hurt. Deeply. But she couldn't cry.
Even though she knew she should.
She'd never known pain. Her psyche had always been stable. Immune to outside grief...
"I… I want to go back..."
A tiny, nearly inaudible whisper. Her violet eyes — the same ones that remembered her parents' final moments — slowly turned to oceans of tears.
Droplets slipped down her pale cheeks, falling out from the dream.
"Why am I only crying now...? I should've… cried long ago…"
"I'm sorry..."
This wasn't the Flower Magus.
Nor the cold-blooded half-nightmare.
Just a child who had lost her parents — and finally grieved.
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